Leadership on set: how to lead a crew with humility, according to Sento MM
In the popular imagination, the Director of Photography (DOP) is sometimes seen as a rigid technician, focused solely on light meters and lenses. But the reality of a professional film set is very different: the DOP is, above all, a team leader.
How do you manage the timings, stress and egos of a whole department without losing authority? In our latest chat, Sento MM left us with a much-needed reflection on leadership and humility in the film industry.
The myth of top-down leadership
Many professionals believe that for a technical department to work, orders must flow in one direction. Sento breaks with this idea and puts on the table a key point that is not taught at film school but makes all the difference to the final result: active listening.
- Being open to everyone: for Sento, leading is not about imposing a vision but knowing that the solution to a technical problem, whether an unwanted reflection or a framing issue, can come from any member of the crew.
- Humility as a form of respect: listening does not take away your authority; on the contrary, it earns you your crew’s respect. When an electrician, an assistant or a gaffer feels heard, their commitment to the image you are creating multiplies.
A set where talent flows
A shoot is a living organism where every piece counts. Sento insists that the DOP’s role is to channel the department’s talent towards a common goal. If you close the door to suggestions from the people beside you, you are limiting the project’s creative potential.
In short, good technical leadership means knowing when to give clear direction and when to stay quiet and let the collective intelligence of the set solve the shot.
Technique can be learned from manuals, but the ability to lead with humility is forged day by day on set. As Sento reminds us, film is a collaborative art, and that collaboration starts with respect for the people holding the camera and the lights with you.
